WORK being done by Fife Council and the Opportunities Fife partnership is paying off with recently released data showing youth unemployment levels have fallen.

Scottish Government statistics – referred to as NEET figures - show the number of young people in Fife aged 16-19 who have found their way into employment, education or training, has improved.

This news comes on the back of the announcement last month of Fife’s best ever year for apprentices with a staggering 1927 young people starting in the past year alone.

The dramatic rise took Fife to 3rd in Scotland for highest number of apprentices.

Councillor Tony Martin, Fife Council’s Youth Ambassador, welcomed the figures and said the work delivering the Fife Youth Job Contract (FYJC) could be behind the results.

Fife Council has invested £5 million into FYJC which is being delivered by the Opportunities Fife partnership. It gives young people, aged between 16 and 24, a chance to work towards a Modern Apprenticeship or find their way to the right career.

Councillor Martin said, “Over the past year we have been focused on delivering FYJC and I’m pleased to see we have begun to see a tangible effect on youth unemployment levels.

“In fact, since this data was compiled we have had further success, placing a further 112 youngsters into work in Fife.

“Some 450 Fife youngsters have found their way into a job so far with FYJC. We are confident this success will continue and are forecasting that, in partnership with local employers, the project will create over 600 jobs in total which will help to reduce the number of NEET youngsters in Fife still further.” Depute Council Leader Lesley Laird, spokesperson for Economy and Planning, added, “Projects like FYJC are helping put Fife at the forefront of employability and helping us meet the aims the council has set out to achieve.

“There is a lot of hard work still to do but we are working hard to help even more young people find their way.

“Anyone looking for help can keep up to date on how they can find their way with Opportunities Fife online and on social media too.” Lucinda McAllister service manager added, “We are delighted with the success and are committed to continuing to deliver in this area and support young people.

“We’ll make this possible with the help of the strong partnership that exists in Fife and by building on the links with local employers.”